SIMANGGANG: Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg has expressed confidence that outstanding matters under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) can be resolved since he and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor are on good terms with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said they could sit together to discuss matters in a cordial atmosphere, guided by the Malaysia Madani concept, with mutual respect for each other.
"While 11 matters have been resolved, there are others that need further discussions between the prime minister, Sabah chief minister and myself," Abang Johari said at the state-level Malaysia Day celebration here.
He said among the outstanding matters was stamp duty collection or property taxes that were paid upon making a sales and purchase agreement between financial institutions and housebuyers.
Abang Johari said in commemorating Malaysia Day, there was a need to remember that Sarawak was not a "pity passenger" when it agreed to join the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.
He said the region had its own political and administrative system, with its own clear boundaries and position.
"Sarawak's status cannot be belittled or looked down upon because it is one of the partners in the formation of Malaysia." he said.
He added that was the spirit championed by the state's forefathers when they negotiated with other leaders and the British on the formation of Malaysia.
"Sarawak's requests, based on MA63, are the efforts to correct and fulfil its rights and special position as enshrined in the Federal Constitution and MA63," he said.
Abang Johari said that the relationship between Sarawak and Federal Government should be based on the Federal Constitution and MA63.
"Last week, my cabinet colleagues and I were in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, to resolve matters related to MA63 in a special meeting chaired by the prime minister," he said.
Abang Johari expressed his gratitude to Anwar for increasing the interim annual special grants from RM300 million to RM600 million to both Sarawak and Sabah, as provided for in the Federal Constitution.